The flare-up, sparked by anger in Gaza over the death from cancer of a Palestinian held by Israel, included Israel's first air strike on the Hamas-run coastal enclave since the truce.

Confrontations spread to the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces clashed with dozens of Palestinian protesters in the city of Hebron, where Maysara Abu Hamdeya – who died in jail on Tuesday aged 64 – is due to be buried today.

Troops fired tear gas and rubber bullets at youths throwing stones and petrol bombs. Several protesters were escorted away with injuries. The Israeli military said a rock had also struck one of its officers in the face.